Some Russian strongmen may be intimidating the founder of the Wagner mercenary group Yevgeny Prigozhin to curb his influence and political ambition, the Institute for the Study of War said in its latest article. report.
Russian strongmen, identified as “siloviki” in the report, rely on intimidation tactics such as public signaling to diminish Prigozhin’s political ambitions and prevent his cooperation with Russian officials.
The D.C.-based think tank assessed the campaign as unsuccessful based on recent communications from Wagner’s boss accusing Russian officials of seeking political gain amid the fighting in Bakhmut.
“Shoigu [Russian Minister of Defense] He is reportedly trying unsuccessfully to convince Putin to remove Prigozhin due to Prigozhin’s failure to secure victories on the battlefield, likely indicating that Prigozhin’s bloody efforts to capture Bakhmut are, of fact, an attempt to compete with Shoigu for self-preservation,” the report said.
After Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed advances in Bakhmut, Prigozhin denied his claims and “criticized the Defense Ministry for falsely presenting a withdrawal as the capture of new positions,” the report said.
On May 17, the spokesman of the Eastern Operational Command of the Ukrainian army, Serhii Cherevatyi claimed The Armed Forces of Ukraine have advanced up to 500 meters towards Bakhmut in the last day.
Military official: Ukrainian forces advance another 500 meters towards Bakhmut
The Armed Forces of Ukraine have advanced up to 500 meters towards Bakhmut in the last day, Serhii Cherevatyi, the spokesman of the Eastern Operational Command of the Ukrainian military, said on May 17.
Kyiv’s independent news desk
